ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Mumbai
The Income Tax Department carried out a search and seizure operation on 28.07.2022 on an ex-fund manager and chief trader of equities of a prominent mutual fund house along with related sharebrokers, middlemen and entry operators. The search action covered more than 25 premises, spread across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bhuj and Kolkata.
As a result of the search operation, various incriminating evidences in the form of documents and digital data have been found and seized. These evidences gathered during the search including sworn statements recorded from various persons have revealed the modus operandi. It has been detected that the said fund manager and chief trader were sharing specific trade related information with brokers/middlemen and persons located in certain foreign jurisdictions. These persons in turn, used such information for illicit gains in the share market by trading in such scrips either in their own account or account of their clients. These persons including family members of the fund manager have admitted in their statements that the unaccounted cash generated from the above operations was routed mainly through Kolkata based shell entities into their bank accounts. From these bank accounts, funds have been further diverted into the bank accounts of companies/entities incorporated in India and other low tax jurisdictions. The gleaning of seized evidences has exposed the nexus between the ex-fund manager, middlemen, share brokers, and entry operators.
Evidences of large-scale unaccounted investment in cash loans, fixed deposits, immovable properties and their renovation, etc. have also been found and seized. More than 20 lockers have been put under restraint. So far, unaccounted deposits exceeding Rs. 55 crore have been seized.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Import Declines to 209 Million Ton in 2021-22 Against 248 MT in 2019-20
Power Sector Coal Import Comes Down By 40%
Overall Coal Production Increases by 61 MT During 2021-22
India has a balanced energy basket and coal sector is an important contributor in fulfilling nation’s energy needs. The sector is not only committed to meet coal demand in the country but also sensitive towards building a sustainable ecosystem. Coal is a critical input for power, fertilizer, iron & steel and cement sector.
Coal imports, which had reached a peak of 248 Million Ton  in 2019-20, declined continuously during the next two years to 215 MT in 2020-21 and further to 209 MT in 2021-22.
Despite steep rise in actual demand of coal from 956 MT in 2019-20 to 1027 MT in 2021-22, coal imports have not increased. Coal import grew at a compound annual growth rate  of 22.86% during the period 2009-10 to 2013-14. At this CAGR, coal imports would have reached 705 MT in 2020-21 and further to 866 MT in 2021-22. The import of coal could be checked only by sustaining increased domestic supply over the years.
All India coal production has increased from 716 MT in 2020-21 to 777 MT in 2021-22 resulting in an increase of 61 MT. Therefore, despite a steep rise in actual demand for coal from 906 MT in 2020-21 to 1027 MT in 2021-22, coal imports could be contained due to increased domestic dispatch from 691 MT in 2020-21 to 818 MT in 2021-22.
Domestic dispatch has not only increased to the power sector but also to non-power sector by 101 MT in 2020-21 to 104 MT in 2021-22.
The decline in coal import during 2021-22 is largely due to decrease in import by Power Sector which came down from 45 MT in 2020-21 to 27 MT in 2021-22, decline of almost 40%. The decline is more steep if we compare coal imports by power sector in 2021-22 to pre-covid year of 2019-20 when such import was 69 MT. This is despite the fact that total thermal power generation in the country increased to 1115 BU in 2021-22 from 1032 BU in 2020-21, an increase of 83 BU in absolute terms and almost 8 % in percentage terms.
Coking Coal import was 57 MT with a growth of 11.65% during 2021-22 which is largely used in the Steel Sector. However, as compared to pre-covid year of 2019-20, the growth in coking coal import is around 10 %. Coal imported by Non-regulated Sector  increased to 125 MT in 2021-22 from 119 MT in 2020-21 an increase of 5.23 %. Compared to the pre covid year of 2019-22, when imports by non-regulated sector was 127 MT, imports by this sector has actually declined in 2021-22. Thus, increase in import of coal by non-power sector during 2021-22 is largely on account of growth in import of coking coal and import of coal by non-regulated sector which largely import high grade thermal coal. Supply of both these categories of coal are limited in the country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Gap between two doses of Covishield Vaccine extended from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks based on recommendation of COVID Working Group
The COVID Working Group chaired by Dr N K Arora has recommended extension of the gap between the first and second doses of COVISHIELD vaccine to 12-16 weeks. The present gap between the two doses of COVISHIELD vaccine is 6-8 weeks.
Based on the available real-life evidences, particularly from UK, the COVID-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of COVISHIELD vaccine. No change in interval of COVAXIN vaccine doses was recommended.
The COVID Working Group comprises of the following members:
- Dr N K Arora- Director, INCLEN Trust
- Dr Rakesh Agarwal, Director and dean, JIPMER, Puducherry
- Dr Gagandeep Kang, professor, Christian Medical College, Vellore
- Dr J P Mulliyal, Retd professor, Christian Medical College, Vellore
- Dr Naveen Khanna, Group Leader, International Centre For Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology , JNU, New Delhi
- Dr Amulya Panda, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi
- Dr V G Somani, Drugs Controller General of India , Govt of India
The recommendation of the COVID Working Group was accepted by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 , headed by Dr V K Paul, Member  Niti Aayog in its meeting on 12th May 2021.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also accepted this recommendation of the COVID Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of COVISHIELD vaccine to 12 -16 weeks.
Ministry of Finance
Japan’s Official Development Assistance  to India
The Notes were exchanged today between Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Mr. Suzuki Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to India for Patna Metro Rail Construction Project  of JPY 98.612 billion , Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in West Bengal of JPY 9.308 billion  and Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project  of JPY 18.894 billion .
Patna Metro Rail Construction Project aims to cope with the increase of traffic demand in Patna by constructing the new metro corridor 1 & 2, thereby contributing to improvement of the urban environment and development of the economy as well as mitigation of climate change.
Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in West Bengal aims to mitigate and adapt to climate change, conserve and restore ecosystems by ecosystem based climate change measures, biodiversity conservation and restoration, livelihood improvement activities and institutional strengthening, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development in State.
Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project aims to improve livelihoods of farmers as well as promote gender mainstreaming in agriculture and irrigation sector in the State, by improving water use efficiency and agriculture productivity, through improvement of existing irrigation facilities and agriculture support services based on participation of both male and female farmers, thereby contributing to socio-economic development in the State. This is tranche-II loan for the project.
India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation since 1958. In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has steadily progressed. This further consolidates and strengthens the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi holds Haj 2021 review meeting
Haj 2021 will depend on national-international Protocol Guidelines due to Pandemic Position: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
“Final decision regarding Haj 2021 will be taken in due course keeping in view necessary guidelines to be issued by the Saudi Arabia Government and the Government of India in view of Corona Pandemic”
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said here that Haj 2021 will depend on national-international Protocol Guidelines due to Pandemic Position.
While chairing Haj 2021 review meeting in New Delhi, Shri Naqvi said that Haj 2021 is scheduled for June-July 2021, but the final decision regarding Haj 2021 will be taken in due course keeping in view necessary guidelines to be issued by the Saudi Arabia Government and the Government of India in view of Corona Pandemic to ensure health and well-being of the people.
Shri Naqvi said that Haj Committee of India and other Indian agencies will formally announce Haj 2021 application process and other related preparations after a decision is taken by the Saudi Arabia Government on Haj 2021.
Shri Naqvi said that the entire Haj process might witness a significant change in view of necessary guidelines. These include accommodation, transport, health and other facilities both in India and Saudi Arabia.
Shri Naqvi said that health and well-being of the pilgrims is of the utmost priority for the Government due to Corona pandemic. The Indian agencies will ensure necessary arrangements in this regard. The Government of India and Haj Committee have started necessary preparations to ensure health and well-being of the pilgrims.
Shri Naqvi said that due to 100 per cent digital Haj process of India, Rs 2100 crore have been returned through DBT mode, without any deduction, to 1 lakh 23,000 people after cancellation of Haj 2020 due to Corona pandemic. The Saudi Arabia Government has also returned about Rs 100 crore regarding transportation.
Shri Naqvi said that only because of 100 per cent digital Haj process in India, about Rs 514 crore surplus amount of Haj pilgrims during last 3 years has also been returned back into their bank accounts directly even during this Corona pandemic. This has been done for the first time in the history of Haj process.
Secretary, Minority Affairs Ministry Shri P K Das and other senior officials of the Ministry; Joint Secretary, External Affairs Shri Vipul; Joint Secretary Civil Aviation Ministry Shri S K Mishra attended the review meeting. Besides, Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Shri Y. Sabir, Acting Consul General in Jeddah; Shri M A Khan, CEO Haj Committee of India and other officials from Health Ministry, Air India etc attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition by Aceso Company Pte. Ltd.  in HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited 
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition by Aceso Company Pte. Ltd.  in HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited , under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002, today.
The Proposed Combination relates to an acquisition of upto 58.92% stake in HCG by Aceso by way of  subscription to equity shares and warrants  and  an open offer to the public shareholders as per the regulations of SEBI.
Acesois an entity forming part of the CVC Network. The CVC Network consists of  CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A.  and  CVC Capital Partners Advisory Group Holding Foundation , which are privately owned entities whose activities include providing investment advice to and / or managing investments on behalf of certain investment funds and platforms.
HCG and its group are engaged in the business of providing services through cancer treatment clinics, multi-specialty hospitals, fertility treatment centres. In addition, an associate company of HCG is engaged in the business of providing clinical diagnostic services.
A detailed order of the CCI will follow.
AYUSH
Usage of Anti-Diabetics Ayurvedic Drug Bgr-34
The drug BGR-34 is available to the patients in the country since 2015.The formulation was developed and required scientific studies were carried out by National Botanical Research Institute  and Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants , research units functioning under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research . The tests include standardization, product validation on the basis of modern scientific parameters, antioxidant activity determination, optimization of herbal components for best activity, assessment of anti-diabetic activity and safety studies etc.
Availability of the Ayurvedic drug BGR-34 in Government Hospitals and Dispensaries in the country falls under the domain of procurement agencies of the concerned State Government/Public Sector Undertaking /Central Government Health Scheme /Municipalities/Employee State Insurance /New Delhi Municipal Corporation etc.
Since BGR-34 is licensed under proprietary Ayurvedic Medicine category and its availability is possible only through tenders. Inclusion of drug BGR-34 in the tender depends on responsive bid, price and qualifying approved Standard Operative procedure  for procurement norms of concerned procurement agency.
NDMC and Municipal Corporation of Delhi make availability of Medicine for any resident of Delhi. In ESI the availability of the drug is subject to having valid ESI Health card by the individual and their family. In CGHS the Medicine is made available to CGHS beneficiary through local chemist as it is not come through tender.
Government of India has adopted a strategy of Co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres , Community Health Centres  and District Hospitals , thus enabling choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under single window. The engagement of AYUSH Doctors/ paramedics and their training is supported by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, while the support for AYUSH infrastructure, equipment / furniture and medicines are provided by Ministry of AYUSH under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission . Similarly, Ministry is also doing the efforts for operationalization of AYUSH Health & Wellness Centres by upgrading AYUSH dispensaries and existing Sub health centres through NAM under collaboration of Department of Health & Family Welfare.
This information was given by Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to release autobiography of Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil and rename Pravara Rural Education Society in his honour
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release the autobiography of Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil and rename Pravara Rural Education Society as ‘Loknete Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Pravara Rural Education Society’, on 13th October at 11 AM via video conferencing.
Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil served as Member of Lok Sabha for multiple terms. His autobiography is titled ‘Deh Vechwa Karani’ which means ‘dedicating one’s life for a noble cause’, and is aptly named as he dedicated his entire life to the benefit of society through his path-breaking work in various fields, including agriculture and cooperatives.
Pravara Rural Education Society was established in 1964 at Loni in Ahmednagar district, with the aim to provide world class education to the rural masses and empower the girl child. The Society is currently serving with the core mission of educational, social, economical, cultural, physical and psychological development of students.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Enlightening session on RTI Act, of 2005 organized by Pro Bono Club under Department of Justice's Nyaya Bandhu
Under Department of Justice's Nyaya Bandhu, the Pro Bono Club of NEHU, Shillong organised an enlightening session on the RTI Act, of 2005. It highlighted the significance of the Act, educating citizens about their right to access vital public information.
Led by Dr. Ravi Kant Mishra, the esteemed guests Heimonglang Nongpluh & Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla stressed the importance of employing this right when necessary, empowering individuals, and promoting awareness in rural Meghalaya. It shed light on the Act's numerous benefits and its role in ensuring public authorities' accountability.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
TOPS to fund Olympic Gold Medallist Neeraj Chopra's training in Antalya, Turkey
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports'  Mission Olympic Cell  on March 16, approved Olympic Gold Medallist Neeraj Chopra's proposal to train at Gloria Sports Arena, Turkey for a period of 61 days.
Shri Neeraj Chopra , who under Target Olympic Podium Scheme  funding, had trained at Gloria Sports Arena last year as well, will head to Turkey on April 1st and will remain there till May 31st.
The TOPS funding will cover Neeraj, his coach Klaus Bartonietz and his Physiotherapist's Airfare, Boarding & Lodging, Medical Insurance, and Local Transportation costs among others.
Other significant proposals that were also approved by MOC members during the meeting include , Financial assistance towards procurement of Golf Set equipment & hiring of a personal coach, fitness & Nutrition trainer for Deaf Olympics Gold Medalist Diksha Dagar and Financial assistance for badminton players Priyanshu Rajawat towards participation in Swiss Open, Spain Masters & Orleans Masters and for shuttler Sankar Muthusamy towards participation in Orlen Polish Open and Slovenia Yonex Open.
Ministry of Power
NTPC augments COVID Care Facilities across the country
NTPC Ltd, India’s largest integrated energy company, under Ministry of Power has added more than 500 beds with oxygen support and more than 1100 isolation beds across plants in various states to provide support to the critical Covid care.
In NCR region, the company has set up Covid care centres with facility of 200 oxygen supported beds and 140 isolation beds in Badarpur, Noida & Dadri. Further, the company has set up a 500-bed covid health centre at Sundargarh in Odisha where 20 ventilators have been provided.
Going further, the company has already placed orders for 11 oxygen generation plants in NCR. Besides, 02 large oxygen generation plants having bottling facility are being set up. Further, the company is also setting up Oxygen generation plants at 8 different locations in other states. In addition, the company has extended support for installation of oxygen generation plants at different Government hospitals in other states.
Besides, Covid Care Centre which are already operational in Dadri, Korba, Kaniha, Ramagundam, Vindhyachal, Barh & Badarpur, NTPC will be setting up additional facilities at North Karanpura, Bongaigaon and Solapur as well. Other hospitals are on their way to increase the number of beds with oxygen facilities.
Meanwhile, NTPC has inoculated over 70,000 of its employees and associates across its operations. The massive vaccination drive continues across plant locations.
NTPC has also started vaccinating those who are eligible in the 18-44-year-old category at many of its plant locations. Vaccination drives have been undertaken across NTPC stations in coordination with respective State administrations.
India’s largest integrated energy player is running 24X7 Control Rooms across plants for better coordination for patients across sites which is coordinated by a special task force. The task force also helps in coordination for hospital beds and other treatment facilities across various empanelled and non-empaneled hospitals. The 24X7 control room also coordinated for procurement of medicines, hospital equipment, services along with daily reporting and MIS.
Further, NTPC is in coordination with hospitals and its medical team to ensure that all Covid patients are rendered the best healthcare support. NTPC has also collaborated with the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Health to facilitate the availability of necessary but scarce medicines and other essentials like Oxygen.
Special Service and Features
Gold and mobile phones worth Rs 40.12 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs
Based on information one Rawther Naina Mohamed,50, and Ibrahim,46, both of Ramanathapuram who arrived from Dubai by Emirates Flight EK-544 were intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold. On their personal search 4 gold paste bundles weighing 640 grams were found concealed in rectum. On extraction 545 grams of gold valued at Rs.27.77 lakhs was recovered. On further search 11 gold cut bits and one gold plate totally weighing 160 grams worth Rs. 8.15 lakhs were recovered from their pant pocket and hand bags. Total 705 grams of gold worth Rs. 35.92 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act. On examination of their check in bags six mobile phones, three I-Phone 12 pro and three Samsung Galaxy worth Rs. 4.2 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act.
705 grams of gold and six mobile phones totally worth Rs. 40.12 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act.
Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
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Ministry of Finance
Jan Dhan Accounts in Private/Public Sector Banks
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana  was launched in August, 2014 with the objective to, inter-alia, provide universal access to banking facilities to the people of the country. As informed by banks, out of 35.99 crore accounts opened under PMJDY as on 26.06.2019, 29.54 crore accounts are operative accounts.
Private Banks are allowed to open accounts under PMJDY. As apprised by them, 1.26 crore accounts have been opened by major private banks under PMJDY.
Public sector banks and major private banks have also apprised that Jan Dhan accounts are not debited with any banks charges.
Under PMJDY, as on 26.06.2019, while 34.73 crore accounts have been opened by public sector banks , 1.26 crore accounts have been opened by major private banks.
This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM unveils bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Yonsei University in Seoul
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Yonsei University in Seoul.
The President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in, First Lady of the Republic of Korea, Kim Jung-sook, and former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister described it as an honour to unveil the bust of Bapu at Yonsei University.
This becomes even more special because we are doing so at a time when we mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bapu, the Prime Minister said.
The thoughts and ideals of Bapu have the power to help us overcome the menace of terrorism and climate change, two challenges humanity faces in these times, said the Prime Minister.
Through his lifestyle, Bapu showed what living in harmony with nature is, and how one can minimize one's carbon footprint. He also showed that it is important to leave a clean and green planet for the future generations, the Prime Minister added.
Yonsei University is among the most prestigious universities in South Korea.
Mahatma Gandhi is revered in South Korea as an icon of world peace.